So sorry for such the long wait! Unfortunately life threw me some curve balls in the form of family issues and a car accident that has me laid up for some time. I WILL be updating again as often as I can. Please enjoy and don't forget to review, thank you all so much and I've missed you all!

*WARNING-Language and sexual scenarios

**Please leave feedback! I read everything and take into account everybody's opinion! I really want to make this story as good as I can. Thank you!

***I do not own any of the SOA characters or the story lines that Kurt Sutter has come up with. I do own my characters, and twist story lines around to make them my own.

****I'm also aware that certain character names may be used in my stories but scenarios are changed...thank you

Chapter 20-

Angel's POV

Angel twirled a piece of blonde hair around her finger while glancing out of the office window of Teller-Morrow. SAMCRO had just left for their third run in two months and once again, Clay had made sure that Jax had been up in rotation. This time he'd be gone for three days on a gun run to Vegas.

Conveniently the run had been scheduled around baby Teller's second sonogram, which Angel was convinced Clay had set up on purpose to try to get under Jax's skin. He had missed the first sonogram due to a drug deal with the Cartel, and now he was missing the gender reveal.

It had seemed like Jax was missing all the important parts of her first pregnancy, but hadn't she known that would happen? She had watched SAMCRO old ladies carry babies since she was a girl, she understood that the men had priorities and that rearing children wasn't number one. That didn't mean she had to like it.

It had seemed like every time she woke up with morning sickness, or craved ice cream and ketchup, that his pre-pay would vibrate and he would be gone in a matter of minutes. It wasn't exactly ideal, but he continued to promise her that it wouldn't be like this forever and she believed him.

Jax had seemed upset when he had learned that he was going to miss this event but he had left with his brothers regardless, promising her that he would be home as quick as he could and assuring her that it wouldn't be like this forever.

Angel placed a hand on her belly, for being almost 15 weeks she was showing quite a bit. A very distinct roundness had taken over her once toned tummy, and just recently she had started to use the rubber band trick so her jeans wouldn't fit so snug.

"You look like me when I was pregnant with Jax, I was a planet it stiletto boots by the time he was born," Gemma joked while she observed Angel by the window. "Great, something to look forward to," Angel replied sarcastically.

She wasn't particularly in the best of moods with Jax being gone during a very important time in her pregnancy. The worst part about it, though, was the fact that Clay had stayed behind to "keep eyes on Charming." Angel knew better.

She saw him moping around the clubhouse rubbing his arthritic hands together, it was getting harder for him to grip the bars of his bike. He would never admit it tho. Admitting that you were getting weaker would be cause for a President re-elect and Clay would fight extremely dirty before stepping off of his throne.

"Are you almost ready to head out?" Gemma broke her train of thought once again, it's getting close to noon and we still have to drop Abel off with Neeta. Plus I need to do a little last-minute shopping for the party when the boys return."

Angel nodded absent-mindedly as she slipped Jax's navy blue hoodie over her head. It was chilly out with it being the beginning of January but it wasn't as cold as it could be in mid-Cali. She was grateful Gemma had agreed to go to the sonogram with her. Even tho Lyla was meeting them there, having Gemma was like having a piece of Jax by her side.

She stared out of the window of Gemma's black Cadillac as the HBIC chatted away aimlessly. Angel couldn't concentrate for one minute. After they had dropped off Abel, she had grown increasingly more antsy with every mile they grew closer to her OBGYN.

She would find out whether she was having a future Son, or a future old-lady, in just under an hour. Thinking of it that way only made the butterflies swarm. One day her child would either be smuggling drugs and guns like their daddy, or alone and pregnant with fear for their old mans safety just like their mom.

How could anybody raise a child knowing what kind of bleak future that child would have? Angel had wanted to leave this Life immensely before she had graduated high school. She had worked extra hard to get good marks and earn a scholarship to USC, and she had succeeded.

She might have a college degree by now had it not been for her blind love for her ex high-school sweetheart. How could she bring herself to raise a child as an outlaw when she had never wanted to be here in the first place?

She couldn't deny that she loved the Club more than anything in the world, aside from the life in her belly. She had come to terms that she would never leave. That, especially now, she was SAMCRO for life...like she would have ever cut ties with them completely. She just couldn't help but think of where she might have ended up had she never given up her scholarship.

She had tried talking to both Juice and Lyla about her fears, but neither seemed to help much. Juice with his, "I couldn't imagine life without the club," and Lyla with her, "you would have done great but you're here now...gotta make the best of it," were far from comforting. Maybe she needed the advice of somebody who had been thru it before...

"Hey Gem," Angel said nonchalantly cutting Gemma off, she kept her gaze out the window. "Have you ever wondered where you might be if you wouldn't have gotten knocked up by JT?" She spared a glance at Gemma who looked deep in thought, "I, I...where is that coming from?"

"I don't know...I was just thinking about where I would have been had I never let that asshole talk me out of my scholarship to USC. If maybe I'd be a college graduate now working for some big company, away from all the danger..." "Ah, honey, one thing I've learned thru the years...you can't dwell on the past when you live like we do. Does nothing but causes problems." Gemma spoke matter of factly.

"I know, I just...I was just wondering if you'd ever had dreams of a life outside of Charming you know? Before you had JT and got married." Angel watched as Gemma pursed her mouth before answering, "I wanted to get out, sure. I was gonna move to Vegas and try my hand at being a show girl. Can you believe that shit?"

Angel cocked an eye-brow, "a show girl? really?" Gemma laughed, "sure, sure. I knew that was the one thing that would piss my over bearing parents off more than anything else...or that's what I thought. Turns out getting pregnant and married at 17 was the one thing they hated more than sin city."

Angel nodded," what made you decide to keep Jax, you know...raise him. What made you stick around? You had to have known he'd grow up to be an outlaw?" Gemma's brow furrowed again, "I don't think I had much of a choice. Since the day my Jackson started to talk all he wanted to discuss was his dad's bike. SAMCRO flows thru his veins...he lives, breaths, and bleeds for the club that JT started. It wasn't a matter of me deciding whether I wanted to stick around, it was a matter of me deciding if I wanted to be in my baby's life or not, because he would have never left even as a boy. This is his legacy and as his mother it was my job to raise him to be a strong leader. To know how to survive."

Angel stared at Gemma who was fumbling around in her purse for a smoke. She had a point, Angel knew that she would never leave Jax. She knew that whatever dream she may have once had was no more. She would have to do just what Gemma had done, she would have to raise her baby to be a leader as well.

"You having doubts about being with my son Angel?" Gemma asked sparingly, puffing away on her freshly lit cigarette. Angel cocked her head in surprise as she fought the urge to rip the cancer stick from her hand a smoke it herself, "no, Gem, I'm not...I love Jax. I'm just scared about the future of my child is all."

Gemma continued to puff away while Angel stared on longingly, quitting her nasty habit had been one of the hardest things she had done since finding out she was with child. "Baby, you and every other mother in the world has fears about their children. That's not a SAMCRO thing." Angel smiled at her obvious attempt at humor just as they pulled into the OBGYN parking lot.

"How's the heart beat?" Gemma asked Dr. Roslyn nervously as she maneuvered around Angel's belly. "Do you see that little flickering there?" she answered, pointing to a tiny flashing on the black and white screen. "That's the heart. It seems fine, here," she said once more while flipping a switch on the ultrasound machine and a steady 'thump' filled the room.

Angel felt her eyes tear up immediately, "wow," she whispered. Dr. Roslyn smiled, "that sounds like a strong heart beat to me." Angel could sense the calm settle over the room as the babies heart continued to beat loudly. She heard the sigh that Gemma let out as well, so far so good.

Lyla was standing on her other side looking down at the screen smiling, "isn't it exciting? When I was pregnant with Piper, hearing his heart beat was one of the most exciting things!" Angel agreed. And now that she could hear her little womb raiders heart beating clear and strong, she relaxed just a little.

Since the moment she had found out she was carrying a little Teller, Gemma had openly expressed her worry. The heart defect, or "family curse" as they referred to it, came from her side of the family. She had been born with it and later on it had killed her son, Jax's younger brother, Thomas.

Abel had been born with that same heart problem and had come within an inch of death. That had also had a lot to do with his birth mother, Wendy, abusing drugs and delivering him early but still...he had been born with that hole in his heart and now there was a chance that this baby would too.

Angel wasn't stupid, she knew of the risk, but she was just so in love with the tiny jelly bean with the flickering heart that she couldn't consider there might be something wrong with him or her. Just the thought of something going a wry was enough for her to go into panic mode.

"Are you interested in finding out the sex?" Dr. Roslyn interrupted her train of thought. Angel had battled with herself for the past week. On one hand she really wanted to know what she was having, she wanted to know if she was having a mini Jax or a mini her.

But, as much as she wanted to know, she also didn't. At least not without Jax by her side. She didn't think it was really fair that she find out the big reveal before him, he was the father after all. He had told her he didn't mind and he would just find out when he called but she thought he ought to be there with her.

And in yet another hand, there was the surprise factor she had to consider too. It might be fun to wait untill she gave birth. She didn't think that would sit right with Gemma tho. Stealing a glance at the woman gripping her hand, she knew she was right. Gemma was staring intently at the screen, eyes glistening. Lyla was smiling so wide her face might split in two.

She wanted to know. She would tell Jax tonight, when he called her, what they were having. She smiled, "yes, please..." "Alright, let's see here..." Dr. Roslyn started pointing to things on the screen, "those are the legs, they're in a good position to see...hang on..." there was a pause before she continued, "ah, there we go, see there? It looks like you're having a..."

"Hello?" Angel spoke quickly into her cell phone as she sat at the kitchen table. "Hey darlin," she heard him drawl out. She couldn't help but sigh in relief, "hi baby, how's your run?" Jax paused and she knew that he was taking a hit from his cigarette, "we just got to Vegas earlier today. Tomorrow we make the drop off and then I'll be on my way home. Just a couple of days."

"Good, I miss you." "I miss you to babe, where's Abel?" Angel shifted a little in the chair as she answered, "your mom wanted him to sleep over, Neeta is gonna pick him up in the morning before she comes here."

"Alright. How was your appointment?" Jax asked and Angel broke into a grin, "It was good, the baby has a strong heartbeat. I just wish you could have been there babe." "I know darlin, but I'll be home tomorrow night and you can show me the pictures." "Absolutely. So...I found out what we're having..." Another grin.

"Yeah? You gonna tell me or you gonna keep me guessing?" She laughed a little while glancing thru the blinds of the window, she had heard a motorcycle engine. Much to her surprise, Clay rolled into her drive-way and parked his bike, quickly massaging his arthritic hands.

"Babe?" Jax spoke into the receiver. "Yeah, sorry baby, Clay just got here. I don't know what he wants." She could almost see his face set into a scowl, "tell him to fuck off." She signed, "I don't like him either, but I'm not gonna piss him off when I'm alone with him."

"Yeah, keep me on the phone...I don't trust him." "Babe I'll be fine, just call me again as soon as you can okay?" Angel smiled when she heard him blow out a low breath, she loved how protective he was of her. "I will darlin, you better believe it."

Angel moved to the door as she saw Clay approaching, "I love you Jax, be careful." "Always am darlin, I love you too." She heard the line start to buzz, indicating that Jax had hung up, just as she heard the sharp rasp on her front door.

She didn't hesitate to answer, plastering on a fake smile, "Clay, what a surprise." He didn't wait to be invited inside, "yeah, I'm sure," he replied while pushing himself past her and into the living room.

She felt her stomach drop just a little at his abruptness, "you want a beer or something?" He shook his head, "nah." She fidgeted nervously as he sat on the couch, "take a seat Angel, I don't bite." 'I wouldn't count on that,' she thought to herself as she followed his lead and curled her legs beneath her on the love seat.

"So, what brings you over?" Angel asked him, trying to hide her distaste for the man who had intruded her home. Clay shrugged, "come to check on my grandkid since Jax aint around much." Angel brought a hand to her stomach and fought the urge to tell Clay off. "We're both fine, thanks."

He smiled crookedly, "sorry I been havin to send your old man to take care of my business, but as President it's my duty to keep an eye on Charming." Angel remained still, but it seemed that Clay had caught her eyes as they had flicked to his hands for a moment.

He raised them and flexed his fingers, "they been bothering me lately, I got Gem shootin steroids into them every morning...but I'd die before I let it make me step down." "Clay...why are you really here?" Angel spat, not able to hide her distaste any longer.

It wasn't like him to go anywhere unannounced, and he hadn't stepped foot in hers and Jax's home since they had first moved in. She knew there had to be some other reason for his visit. Just the site of him made her skin crawl.

There was that crooked smile again as he dropped his hands back to his lap, "I just wanted to drop by on principle, make sure you knew that SAMCRO takes care of family...just in case." Angel couldn't help but be a little confused, "in case of what?" Clay started absent-mindedly rubbing his hands together, "that baby is family, so are you Angel...just in case something would happen to Jax is what I meant."

There was a silence then and Angel could see Clay's eyes glaring from across the room, "nothing is going to happen to Jax," she almost threatened. He continued to massage his hands, "bad things happen to outlaws all the time, that's our Life."

Angel felt her cheeks flush with anger and her nostrils flare, a trait she had picked up from the topic of their conversation, "I'm sure Jax will be fine Clay." She was stern, she wouldn't let him talk that way about her old man. He nodded and laughed a little, "yeah, I'm sure he will be." She wanted him out.

"Well, I think it's time I get my house work done before I have to find something for dinner," she exclaimed while pushing herself from the love seat, making it obvious that the conversation was over. "thanks for dropping by, but for the record, I don't like surprise visitors."

He stood slowly, "why don't you come by in about an hour, Gem is making chicken and rice tonight. Save ya some time in the kitchen" Angel couldn't help but notice how he ignored the second half of what she had said. "Thanks but naw, chicken and me haven't really been friends lately," She answered with a little pat to her stomach and forcing a smile.

Clay nodded and headed for the door, Angel watched his every move. He didn't say another word as he pushed outside and headed for his bike, leaving the door ajar as he did. She closed it quickly and let out a hard breath...what the fuck had just happened?

Jax's POV

He tried to concentrate on the task at hand, a drop off point for the latest shipment of AK's needed set up and he was just the one to do it. But Jax couldn't shake the feeling of something being amiss. First Angel had told him Clay was at their house and now, standing near the seemingly abandoned warehouse outside of Vegas, he couldn't make a connection with the Russians.

Clay had been very specific when he had sent Jax, Juice, Opie, and Chibs to Nevada. He had said that the Russians had put in an order for a dozen AK's and that they needed the Sons to meet them near the old winery warehouse just north of Sin City with the product in tow. Also the Vegas Charter would be there to regulate the trade and assist their brothers in combat if needed.

The problem wasn't the plan, the problem was that here stood the Sons but nowhere in sight stood the Russians, and the SAMCLV were mia as well. Jax hit re-dial for probably the 10th time and listened as Morgan, the President of the Vegas chapter of SAMCROs, phone went directly to voicemail once again. There was something wrong.

"Juice!" he called out to the puerto rican pacing not even 10 feet away. "Yeah Jax?" "I want you to go to the Vegas charter club house, find out if they heard anything about this deal. Clay said he had it all set up for us to board there on this run and they should be here...we should have checked on that before we left."

"You don't think Clay would have set us up?" Juice asked furrowing his brow. "I don't know, but there's no Russians right?" Jax watched as Chibs came up behind Juice placing a hand on his shoulder, "ay, we been knowin Clay to be messin wit us lately lad, I wouldn' put it past 'im." Juice shrugged in Jax's direction, "I thought he had it out for you, I mean everybody can see that he's threatened by the thought of you taking the gravel."

Jax sighed heavily and ran a hand over his face, "just go a'ight? Phone in when you have a clear answer. Chibs, ride with him." They gave a few short nods before heading to their bikes and kicking them to life. Jax watched as they faded away down the long and narrow dirt road that was the only way in, or out, of the warehouse.

"Something aint sittin right here Jax," Opie spoke slowly as he stubbed out the cigarette that had just been hanging from his mouth, "I don't have a good feeling about this one at all." Jax nodded in agreement, "you and me both brother." They stood in place, guns ready just in case, listening for any sign of life around them. Nothing.

Jax glanced at his phone, still no call from Juice. Just then Opie smacked his shoulder and pointed towards the road, "about damn time," he stated. Jax could clearly make out the black van coming towards them flagged on either side by a motorcycle. Finally they Vegas charter had decided to show.

"Amen to that shit." Jax relaxed a little as the van drew closer. He glanced at his phone when it started to vibrate and shook his head, Juice and his timing. "Thanks man, but they're here now." "What? Who is?" Juice sounded confused which immediately raised a red flag. "Where are you Juice?" "I'm at the club house, Morgan wasn't aware of any run but said he'd send a few guys over...they just left. I blew out a tire but Chibs is with..."

Jax slammed the end button of his phone before shoving it in his pocket and simultaneously grabbing Opie, "get down!" he screamed just as a rain of bullets began to fire off in the direction of the road. Things happened fast from that point on.

Him and Opie hit the dirt just as the van skidded to a halt about 30 feet away. They scrambled behind one of the old wining tins as the doors were flung open and four armed men, making eight total, jumped out and off of their bikes. Bullets continued to fire off as they did their best to take cover.

Jax grabbed his Glock from its holster and began firing shots back but there were just to many of them to take down. He sat against the tin and closed his eyes, he had to live. Not just for the Club, but Abel needed his daddy and his new son or daughter, he wanted to know which one he could expect, needed their daddy too. He thought of Angels pretty face and her bright smile, alright...he had to move.

"Opie!" Jax screamed out over the thundering of guns blasting, "we need to move, now!" He watched his best friend, wide eyed, nod and pointed to the warehouse. If they could get behind the warehouse it would be easier for one of them to shimmy up the ladder and pick off these strangers one by one until the other Sons could get there.

Jax held up three fingers in a count down, they were really risking their lives by running in the open, but what choice did they have? He lowered his fingers one by one...3,2,1, "NOW!" He stood quickly and turned to shoot off more shots while backing quickly to the side of the warehouse, hitting one of the men in the shoulder and dropping him. At the same moment he felt the pain pierce his upper leg, threatening to drop him too...shit, he was hit...

Thank you all so much for reading! So what do you guys think Angel is having? Boy or Girl? Any guesses? And how will Jax fair? I'll update as quick as possible I promise! Please review :)

P.S. My next story is going to focus around Ima. I know, a lot of people hate her...but I'm fascinated with her. I like trying to dig a little deeper and give back ground, and I also really think she would be a good match for early Jax...first few seasons I mean. That's not to say they'll end up together, but I've got ideas. It will follow closely to the actual scenes that were laid out by Kurt Sutter for awhile but end up with my own twists. WOULD YOU ALL BE INTERESTED IN READING? I won't write it if nobody will read it lol I just feel like it's different and has the potential to turn a hated character into one that can be relatable. Thank you guys again.